UECL: Gift Orban propels KAA Gent to round of 16

Published on: 24 February 2023

Nigeria's Gift Orban was the difference as KAA Gent advanced to the next round of  the UEFA Europa Conference League at the expense of Qarabag on Thursday night, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The twenty year old came off the bench to score for the Belgian after 70 minute drawing then level on 1-1 aggregate after their 1-0 in the first leg and scoring in the penalty shoot out where they won 5-3.

It was his third goal this season after his brace on his debut in the Belgian league following his signing this winter after a breakout season in Norway, where he scored 16 goals in the second division for Stabæk.

Orban had started the first leg, but Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck decided to keep the youngester on the bench.

However, after a barren affair in the second half Orban was brought in place ofLaurent Depoitre.

And it took the Nigerian just three minutes to announce his presence after receiving a pass from Cameroon defender Michael Ngadeu before measuring a finish in the 73rd minute.

The tie ended that way after 90 minutes and extra time and there was need for a penalty session to ascertain the team that progresses to the round of 16.

Orban was among the players who stepped up to take a penalty and scored, while Yassine Benzia was the only player to miss a penalty for Qarabag as Gent progress to the round of 16.

By Uche Dozie

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